The winter holidays are a time for giving. Every year, an estimated thirty-nine percent of families can’t afford presents for their children in the United States (observed in a study by Qualtrics). The inability to provide presents only rises as household incomes fall below $50,000 a year.
All around the nation, families with a little bit more money donate toys in toy drives to make the wishes of many kids come true which is the same here on COS’s Visalia campus.
The COS Student Senate has partnered up with Toys for Tots for a toy drive titled “Jolly Giant Christmas.” Toys for Tots is an established nonprofit organization aimed to organize donated toys from communities and give them to families, especially kids, who need them more.
During the fourth and fifth of December, you too can donate an unopened toy to a stand in the Visalia quad from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There will also be free DIY Christmas cards and cookies to go along with the unopened toy. If you are new to Toys for Tots, a simple toy from the store will brighten up any kid’s day, month, or year.
For a more relaxing quad event, you can attend the free movie night in the quad which will be playing “The Polar Express.”
This will be located in the COS Visalia quad on Friday, November 17, at 6:00 p.m. The movie will be aired on a projector for all to see. Friends are encouraged to come and spread a little holiday fun before classes ramp up.
You should bring your own warm blankets and lawn chairs, as they won’t be provided. However, there will be free punch, popcorn, and cookies provided, so all that is required is an appetite. Free hot chocolate will also be provided, making it possible to live out your childhood fantasy of drinking hot chocolate while riding the Polar Express.
Entering the end of fall is now a great time to bring some warmth into your college life. Bring yourself to the quad this winter and relax with a movie with some friends or make some kids’ month here in the Visalia quad either by visiting Friday’s movie night or donating to Toys for Tots.
